When is a nut not a nut?

Turns out, most of the time.     

What we consider nuts are not "technically" nuts, by the botanical definition. I was going to write in more detail about this misconception, but it has already been done so much better here.

And this next point may interrupt the flow of this post, but I feel compelled to say it now - this is not meant in any way to minimize or poke fun at the very serious nut allergies that more and more kids seem to be having these days. Luckily, we don't have this issue in my family so I can only imagine how terrifying it is for other parents.

So which of these do you think are true nuts?

• Peanut - legume
• Pistachio - seed
• Cashew - seed
• Walnut - drupe
• Brazil nut - seed
• Almond - drupe

So what's left? What sorts of nuts are actually nuts?

Chestnuts, hazelnuts and acorns.

I stumbled across a funny music video that adds a little humor and song to the whole "I can't believe it's not a nut!" topic. I hope you enjoy it and if you do, check out rathergood.com. 

Now this is definitely a nut!

Baths not Showers

Anyone with kids knows they have a limited threshold for changes to their schedule and once it is exceeded, any little thing can make them erupt like Krakatoa. Adults have better control, but we also have our limits and when those are tested, fuses can get short.

One week, various changes to our son's schedule taxed him - house-hunting, a circus performance at school, road-trip to Grandma's - a perfect storm to reduce the tolerance of a 5 year old. So when I told him he needed to take a shower Sunday night, this was not well received and his resistance was...how shall I put it, spirited!

I had 3 choices, but given his delicate state and that this wasn't a matter of life and death, I opted for #3, hoping it would work, but not sure.
1. Fight
2. Retreat
3. Flow around

"Let's forget the shower. How about a bubble bath? You can use your boat and turtle and hippo!"

What came next was sort of funny - a big smile and "SURE!" Then the excited pitter-patter of toddler feet and the sound of my hand slapping my forehead in disbelief at this turn of events.

The lesson this reinforced for me is that the framing of a task has a HUGE impact on our attitude towards it. Write a report or tell a story? Give a presentation or share challenges and successes with colleagues? Have a difficult conversation or face a problem to ultimately strengthen a relationship?

Hopefully this approach makes me more likely to tackle seemingly unwelcome tasks and be more persuasive in encouraging others to do the same. EZPZ!

Liberation!

A pet peeve of mine is having too many wires. I'm a big fan of wireless headphone, speakers, etc. And like most people I expect my laptop to connect to the internet via Wi-Fi so I can move about the room as I please. 

When traveling I've noticed some hotels only provide a wired connection. As a result, you are tethered to the desk for the duration of your stay. Recently, I stumbled upon a wireless solution that is relatively inexpensive and unbelievably portable.

Asus sells a pocket router (Model WL-330NUL) which is about the size AND weight of a pack of Juicy Fruit gum. It is billed as the world’s smallest router.

This will turn your wired connection into a wireless one. It takes a bit of patience to set it up, but once you do it is well worth the effort. Here is the basic setup.

Wi-Fi Router Set-up
1. Connect the Asus to power using the usb cable.
2. Plug the Internet cable in at the other end.
3. Connect your device (laptop, smartphone, etc.) via Wi-Fi to the Asus router. You will have to set up this network initially, similar to setting up your home Wi-Fi network.
4. Use your device anywhere in your room, wire free!

EZPZ.